![World Series 2021 - How Martin Maldonado saved the Houston Astros' season by not swinging](https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F1101%2Fr931560_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg)
The Astros won Game 5 against the Astros despite not hitting a home run to send the series back in Houston. (2:53).
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves had an idea. They had a 5-4 lead, and an open base in the fifth inning World Series Game 5 - they decided to walk No. To reach the Houston Astros' light hitting catcher, Alex Bregman must be 7-hitter.
But Martin Maldonado had a plan, too.
Maldonado started the night with a series average of.167, which is about 100 points more than what he had hit in the first two rounds. He was the Astros' weak link, or at least until Sunday night.
Two outs and A.J., a hard-throwing Braves lefthander, loaded the bases after the intentional walk. Minter at the plate. Maldonado consulted Alex Cintron, Astros hitting coach, before he entered the batter's box.
"He asked me, "What do you think about me getting on top? After the Astros' 9-5 win, Cintron spoke to ESPN. "I said that it's a great idea. This will allow you to see the cutter and identify it sooner.
The right-handed Maldonado was able to get ready for the plate just inches away.
Maldonado stated that Minter's at-bat against Maldonado was "I think it did throw them off". His cutter is very nasty. You give him more space to throw the cutter for strikes if you are off the plate.
Minter instead threw two consecutive balls to begin the at-bat. Truist Park was sold out, and tensions started to rise.
"Did you guys notice how close the shortstop was to the plate against Minter?" Reporters were then questioned by Carlos Correa, shortstop. "You guys notice? It was very sick.
Maldonado then viewed a fastball that he didn't intend to offer at strike one.
Cintron stated, "He wasn’t going to swing 2 but he was ready for 2 but he got another cutter."